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A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that he paid between 50 and 60 per cent of commissions earned by his company from consultancy services to officials of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service.

The witness, who testified as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission 18th prosecution witness (PW18), made the disclosure before Justice Maryanne Anineh while being led in evidence by EFCC lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4bn.

The witness told the court that his company, involved in information technology, software development and tax automation services, was engaged by KSIRS for consultancy work.

“My company had business dealings with the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service. It was in connection with that that my company was invited,” he said.

He explained that the initial agreement provided for a 15 per cent commission on tax collections above N350m, later reviewed downward to five per cent.

“The agreement was to receive 15 per cent commission on transactions above N350m. The agreement was later reviewed downward to five per cent because the internally generated revenue had grown significantly,” he said.

The witness identified former KSIRS Chairman, Yakubu Oseni, as one of the officials he dealt with during the arrangement, adding that payments from his firm’s commissions were shared with unidentified stakeholders.

“Between 50 and 60 per cent of the commissions were paid to certain stakeholders,” he told the court.

When asked if such payments were part of the consultancy agreement, he responded: “No.”

He added that payments were made through bank transfers and cash transactions based on directives allegedly routed through Oseni’s Personal Assistant, Yusuf Abdulmumuni, and later through his successor’s aide, Abdulwahab.

The witness also identified account statements of Bespoke Business Solution as exhibits before the court, noting that a nominee signatory, Jami’u Salihu, operated independently on the account.

“Jami’u Salihu signs independently from me,” he said.

Reviewing financial exhibits, he confirmed inflows from KSIRS, including N92.4m on August 9, 2017, and N261.8m on August 14, 2017, followed by withdrawals made by Salihu.

He also confirmed N70m in payments to Efab Properties, but stated he could not identify the purpose of the transaction.

“I wouldn’t know which property was paid for because it was not my transaction,” he said.

He further told the court that he was not aware of complaints from the Kogi State Government regarding the consultancy services.

“No,” he responded when asked if there were complaints.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, P.B. Daudu (SAN), the witness confirmed the identities of other shareholders in his company and maintained that the consultancy services were satisfactorily executed.

Another prosecution witness, PW19, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator, also testified, identifying several companies and accounts linked to his business dealings.

Earlier, PW17, Shenu Bello Bala, an estate agent, completed his testimony and was discharged after cross-examination.

Justice Maryanne Anineh adjourned the matter to October 14, 15, 27, and 28, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings at the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, on Wednesday officially received former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, following her exit from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Recall that Iyabo, daughter of former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, represented Ogun Central in the Senate between 2007 and 2011.

She lost her re-election bid in 2011 and left the country to pursue a career in academics in the United States of America.

In January this year, Senator Obasanjo returned to active politics after 15 years and joined the ruling APC, where she declared her ambition to run for governor.

However, on the 31st of May, the former senator resigned from APC after losing the governorship ticket, citing disrespect, betrayal, and unfair treatment by the APC leadership.

She was officially received into the PDP fold at a massive rally held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

The State Chairman of the PDP, Dr Abayomi Tella, presented the PDP flag to Senator Obasanjo, welcoming her back to the party and announcing her as the PDP candidate for Ogun Central in the next election.

“On behalf of our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the entire National Working Committee of the PDP, I, Abayomi Tella, PhD, the State Chairman of the PDP, and on behalf of PDP Ogun Central, present to our revered sister, Prof. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, this flag as the authority of the party for her candidature for the Senate in Ogun Central,” Tella said.

Taking the party’s oath, Senator Obasanjo pledged her loyalty and allegiance to the PDP, its constitution, manifesto, and code of conduct.

“I commit myself to the ideals of the PDP. I shall serve the people of Ogun State and Nigeria with integrity, humility, and dedication, prioritising their welfare above personal and sectional interests,” she declared.

She declared that she remains the candidate to beat in the next election, saying she remains the best senator to have represented Ogun Central.

On his part, Adebutu vowed that, if elected governor, his administration would ensure the viability of local government areas by implementing local government autonomy.

He also promised to be prudent and transparent in the management of public funds.

“I, Oladipupo, son of Adebutu, won’t steal your money. Local governments will get their funds accordingly, and we shall be transparent in all our dealings,” he said.

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Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reacted to her acquittal of all corruption charges, on Wednesday by a United Kingdom (UK) jury.

Diezani who was found not guilty following an 11-year legal battle, is celebrating what she called “a decade of relentless vilification.”
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‎Southwark Crown Court in London had cleared Alison-Madueke, 64, on all five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery after more than 46 hours of jury deliberations.

The verdict closes a case that began with her arrest in London in October 2015.
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‎Speaking after the ruling, Diezani said the decision had restored her reputation.
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‎“I am deeply relieved. My name is cleared. This nightmare is over,” she said in a statement. “I thank God Almighty for His faithfulness and for completely vindicating me.”
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‎“For eleven long, gruelling years, this case has hung over my head and has tormented me and my family,” she added.

“Today, the past decade of relentless and unjust vilification, condemnation and scrutiny has finally come to an end.”
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‎Prosecutors had alleged that while serving as minister under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015, Alison-Madueke received more than £100,000 in benefits from oil and gas executives seeking lucrative contracts.

The benefits cited in court included private jet flights, chauffeur-driven vehicles, luxury goods, use and maintenance of a London property, and payment of her son’s school fees.
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‎She was tried alongside co-defendants Ayinde Olatimbo Bukola and Agama Doye.

The trial began in January 2026, with Alison-Madueke maintaining her innocence throughout proceedings.
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‎Despite the UK acquittal, legal challenges remain for the former minister in Nigeria, where she still faces pending corruption and money laundering cases.
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‎Alison-Madueke’s tenure as petroleum minister made her the first woman to hold the position in Nigeria and later the first female president of OPEC in 2014. Her arrest in 2015 marked the start of one of the most high-profile corruption investigations involving a Nigerian public official.
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